This one would see the Devils lose an NHL player to get a future piece. Justin Barron looked really good this season after the Avs got him in the 1st round last season. The Avalanche do have a logjam on defense, and there’s no telling when Justin Barron could make it to the NHL without a few moves.
Is Miles Wood worth a player the Avalanche just spent a 1st-round pick on? The Avs know they have to do something to shake up this roster, and Wood comes with a certain mindset that would be good for the Avalanche. His hard-nosed attitude mixed with his ability to score clutch goals would be perfect for playoff hockey.
Wood is a frustrating player at times, but more often than not a good team loves having those players on their side. Now that he’s learned how to stay out of the penalty box, a team is going to pay handsomely for Wood. Barron is a really good prospect to get in return. He’s 6’2, so he would also add a little size to a young defensive group that’s small outside of Kevin Bahl.
This deal gets a little uncomfortable for everyone, but it’s the right deal at the end of the day. The Avalanche make a trade on the backs of a major strength, the Devils get a really good right-handed defensive prospect, and the Avs get a piece that could help them finally get past the second round of the playoffs. This feels like a win-win at the end of the season, even if it might not feel like it right away.